I'd like to start with a little bit of background on this modern fighter. The F-22 is a single seat, duel after-burning Pratt&Whitney F119-PW-100 turbo fanned fifth-generation fighter that uses stealth technology. Created by Lockheed Martin/Boeing and put into USAF service in December of 2005. It is said to be the best overall fighter in the world today. With only 151 built In October of 2009 President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 not including funding for production of anymore units. It is the only United States fighter with a ban on exports to any other country.
The Kit
The kit itself consist of eight sprues of grey injected plastic, two fuselage halves and eight black nylon washers for the landing gear. Two options for canopy (smoke or clear) are provided. In total, there are more than 350 parts.
Decals for four different planes are included as well and of course the typical Hasegawa instructions.
Armament options are the following
- 6x AIM-120C
- 2x AIM-9X
SUMMARY
Highs: Highly detailed cockpit. Comparison shots are really close taking the need away from purchasing an aftermarket cockpit. Would exchange ejection seat with an aftermarket option. Crisp molds with no flash.Lows: The only lows I see are the price and the fact that for that price you don't get any PE parts or vinyl tires.Verdict: Not for the beginner do to the complex number of parts but offers plenty of detail even for the most seasoned modeler. Definitely worth having this in your collection.
About Justin McCracken (Keeperofsouls2099) FROM: FLORIDA, UNITED STATES
I have been modeling for 20 years mostly because of my passion for anything mechanical.I also feel it's a very good way to remember our history as many of the men and woman on this web site had relatives who are in some way connected to these machines.I learn more everyday and hope to continue build...
Good job!
Looking forward to a built review, so we'll see how well it fits and compare it to the Academy one (I think I read somewhere that this latter has a bit of fitting problems in the rear part of the fuselage).
This kit has been reviewed on other websites when it was issued with the shameful manga decals, and it seems that the raised square panels on the lower fuselage are a bit thick... can anyone confirm?
Pretty short review even for an in-box. Would have liked to seen some detail shots of the cockpit area, and maybe some close ups of the details on the kit. Looking forward to the build article. "Q"
Having this kit at about 75% built and compairing the sprues to Steffens build of the Academy Kit. Hasagawa has a beauty on there hands. Even the cockpit is superior. The only reason i got a replacement ejection seat is the Hasagawa seat is as usual missing the seat belts. The other thing to note is the 2 sets of doors and option parts for the weapons bays and a better detail for the rails and ejectors in the bays. The final large inprovement is rathe extensive yet simple aray of beams and structural supports through out the fuselage. I'm realy impreseded my self.
Heres the shots I missed....
And I will tell you this as far as the rear sqares being a little to thick no kit is perfect and its nothing a sanding stick wont fix.
Build On,
Justin
I totally agree, as so far the Hasegawa Raptor fit has been better than Academy's, but it's the accuracy and detail that impresses me most. From the cockpit to the wheel wells, I'm simply amazed at how well and accurate Hasegawa captured the detail. Where Academy messed up in the vertical tails, stabs, radome, canopy and entire forward fuselage, Hasegawa excelled and nailed it. Not to mention there are more options like “full” run intakes, open & closed Weps doors, nozzle positions, etc…
The only major issue with the Hasegawa kit, is the exaggerated raised LO surface detail. This is not as bad as it's been made out to be elsewhere, as I've managed to knock down the surface detail with not too much effort. They could have also included AIM-9Ms and Hasegawa's decals aren't always the rave. Still, overall this the best and most accurate Raptor kit on the market.
Mike V
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